Visit the Sea Turtle Patrol table in the Family Fun Zone at this year's Concours d'Elegance. This annual event is a unique, multi-day "Lowcountry" motoring experience that entertains and educates the community while supporting youth programs. We hope to see you there! November 2nd and 3rd, 2024 Port Royal Golf Club Click here for Tickets
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Limited number available! Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island invites the community to celebrate the successful 2024 nesting season with us! Tuesday, November 19, 2024 5pm - 8pm (Doors open at 5; Programs begins at 6) Poseidon Rooftop Bar 38 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island Tickets are $50.00Â - includes admission...
Sea Turtle Patrol is excited to light up the 2024 Lantern Parade on November 23rd. The Parade will begin at the Alder Lane Beach Access and proceed north along the beach. The Parade will end at Lowcountry Celebration Park. More details will be coming soon about the exact route, parking, shuttles, pre- and post-parade activities, and...
Wine Time Bluffton, a community-focused wine bar and restaurant in Old Town Bluffton, has chosen Sea Turtle Patrol HHI for their "Buck A Battle, Buck A Bottle" nonprofit program for the month of December. Take a break from your shopping and pop in to Wine Time during the month of December for their ever-evolving selection of wines by-the-glass, a selection of...
A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) encountered around Hilton Head Island represents one of the world’s largest hard‑shelled marine reptiles, known for their herbivorous diet and reliance on warm, shallow coastal habitats. Although loggerheads dominate South Carolina nesting activity, juvenile green turtles forage in the region’s estuaries, where seagrass and algae provide essential nutrition. Like all reptiles, green turtles are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature depends on the surrounding water. When sudden winter cold fronts push water temperatures below roughly 50°F (10°C), turtles can experience cold‑stunning, a hypothermic state in which they become lethargic, lose the ability to swim, and may float to the surface or wash ashore. Cold‑stunned turtles are vulnerable to drowning, boat strikes, and predation, and require rapid rescue to prevent secondary complications such as pneumonia or shock. Conservation groups along the Southeast coast monitor for these events, as even a single cold snap can impact multiple species—including green turtles—within the island’s interconnected marshes and tidal creeks. Understanding cold‑stunning helps highlight how sensitive sea turtles are to temperature shifts and why protecting their habitats is essential for long‑term survival.